by Evie Harper
“You want me to fuck you, Red?” My breath wisps across her cheek. Ivy nods, but I can tell she’s tense from the position I’ve put her in, one I’m familiar with. “Then feel me, baby, and don’t be afraid. I’d never let you fall.”
Ivy’s body relaxes.
“Keep your hands on the wall, and no turning around to face me, okay?”
“Yes,” Ivy replies hoarsely.
With her understanding and trust in me, I slowly inch my cock up and into her pussy. My nostrils flare as my cock goes deeper inside the woman who holds my heart. When I’m buried to the hilt, I still for a second, resting my forehead on Ivy’s spine. Fuuuuck. She’s tight, and it feels so damn good.
Holding Ivy against the wall, I thrust my hips up and down slowly. Ivy whimpers low in her throat. Fuck. I’m gone. I’m desperate to hear her make the sound again. This time I thrust up harder, and Ivy’s moans turn deeper, like a plea. I’ve lost all control to go slow; I’m slamming into Ivy as she whimpers and breathlessly says my name. With each delicious thrust I’m rewarded by Ivy’s pleas to go harder and faster. I obey, the dominant becoming the servant. I lower Ivy’s feet to the ground while still thrusting inside her; I push down on the middle of her spine, and she pushes back and bends perfectly. I slide my right hand up her body and close it possessively around her throat, and my other hand closes over her breast, rolling her nipple between my fingers. I cherish the whimpers it draws from Ivy.
My throat bobs as my balls grow heavy. I clench my teeth and pound into Ivy as I continue to experience a sensation I wish would never end. Ivy’s moans grow louder, and as she’s throwing her head back I grasp her jaw, turning her head to face me. Our eyes meet. Her expression radiates pure adoration and love.
I blink in surprise and a tingling sensation covers my body.
Ivy’s eyes widen as my balls grow to the point of exploding. A deep warmth spreads throughout my gut, and suddenly I’m leaning down and taking Ivy’s mouth, kissing her, stealing what’s mine. The whimpers and moans of a vicious orgasm rock Ivy’s body to its core. Stars explode behind my irises. My knees wobble and I need to lock them into place so I don’t fall on my ass, even though in my mind, body, and spirit it’s what Ivy has done to me.
Coming to, I find Ivy's back rising and falling heavily as she leans against the wall. Her hands are exactly where I asked her to keep them. I release my grip on her throat and breast.
Ivy did exactly as I asked, it was me who broke my own rules, gazing into her eyes as we both orgasmed and kissed. The first kiss I’ve ever had during sex. I regret nothing. I’ve never felt so aware of myself or a woman’s body.
Ivy stands, turning to me with a smile on her face. Her face is flushed, almost matching her hair.
“That was….” She laughs. “Epic.”
I don’t laugh, but I understand what she’s saying. Nothing can compare to what I experienced.
I pull Ivy to me and rest a palm on her cheek. I tilt my head, staring at her, an enigma, the one and only soul on this planet who can make the world fall away with only a look. Who had my utmost attention and never once, not even for a split second did I care about anything except our bodies becoming one, and wanting her to make those cute whimpers over and over again.
Ivy raises her hands and then drops them again as if suddenly remembering my rule. Disappointment slams into me as my chest tightens. I want her to touch me.
I stare down at Ivy’s hands; they fumble together, as if she’s trying to keep them busy. A deep-seated yearning unlocks inside me, and I take Ivy’s hand. Leading her into the bathroom, I release her fingers and turn the shower on.
Shifting to focus on Ivy again, I see her looking up at me, her gaze darting between me and the shower. She stops on me and raises an eyebrow, her lips tipped up in a curious smile.
“I want you again.” My voice is back to the husky tone I now realize is only for her. My cock is springing back to life; he’s as greedy for her as I am.
Ivy smiles, and her eyes have a gleam in them; a little sexy and a little mischievous. My Red. Her natural and happy grin is something I love to see more than the sun in the morning. If I had to choose, I’m afraid mankind would have to live in eternal darkness.
Getting into the shower, I let the warm water wash over my shoulders and back. I extend my hand to Ivy, and she takes it.
Blowing out a big breath, I say something I hope to God I won’t regret later on. “Touch me, Red. Stroke my cock.” Ivy’s eyes snap to mine, her lips part, and even though I’m the one who asked, she’s still seeking my permission with her eyes. “Go on, baby. I can do this. I want to do this.”
Red reaches out and then pulls her hands back. My heart near explodes, and I’m glad to say it’s because I came so close to having her soft flesh on mine. “Kel, I want you to know, I’ll never hurt you. I promise.”
Terror bursts through my body; not the bad kind, the good. The type where I know I’m not alone. I have this special person in my life now, and I need to hold on to her with everything I have. Protect her with everything I am. It’s not only me and my family anymore, but also the woman who has seen me naked, inside and out.
Heat descends my face… tears, an expression of emotion I never expected. They mingle with the water and Ivy has no idea what her words meant to me.
Slowly Ivy extends her hand, and she touches me. Wraps her hand around my cock, something I’ve held protected and hidden. The warmth from her skin sends pleasure spiraling through me. My head falls back, and my eyes close. Each stroke is in time with my heartbeat. They beat together in a song, a rhythm I’ll never forget. I sense Ivy come closer; she lays her other hand on my chest and kisses my neck.
My body shudders and legs wobble. I reach up and grab hold of the top of the shower frame, attempting to steady myself. My eyes fall to Ivy’s, and I find a question there. One I know, but I’m too afraid to answer. I know what I want, but can I handle it? Her tongue darts out across her lips and a deep groan climbs up from my chest and out of my mouth.
Ivy slowly lowers herself to her knees, and I grasp hold of the shower frame with all my strength, not wanting my hands near her, scared I may push Ivy away ruthlessly if fear overwhelms me.
Suddenly my body shakes uncontrollably. I don’t need to look to know my knuckles are pale and my palms will have deep indents in them. My shoulders grow stiff and the air rushes out of me. My leg muscles tighten and rattle with fear. Not daring to watch, I extend my neck back and close my eyes as my chin trembles. Don’t fuck this moment up. Be normal, Kelso, for once be normal.
The exact moment Ivy’s hot mouth covers my cock, a powerful shudder rocks my body. Pleasure explodes through every single one of my nerve endings. My mind blanks, and my body begs for more.
Relaxing, my hips move with Ivy, craving her to go deeper. Ivy doesn’t disappoint; she sucks, licks, and cups my balls until I can’t hold back a furious orgasm, one like nothing I’ve ever felt. I shout, “Fuuuuck,” in a guttural tone, one of true unadulterated pleasure.
Ivy finishes pumping me into her mouth and then glances up at me through her thick eyelashes. Her eyes dance as she grins up at me.
Unclenching my hands from the sides of the shower, I cup Ivy’s chin and hold her stare. Fuck, how did I get so lucky? And how on earth could I think I loved Ivy before this? My feelings before were strong, but what I feel now, it’s overwhelming, almost bringing me to my knees. It’s not only my heart, but every crevice of my being. My world turned upside down, and what I feared before aren’t my fears now. Where life was once average, it’s now bursting with color and possibilities. Ivy crossed boundaries I thought would be impossible for anyone to get through.
I see our future. Standing together, side by side. Love and trust building our foundation. Strengthening us, a formidable force that no one could ever tear apart.
8
Secrets and Whispers
Kelso
Night is when I’m most active, feigning sleep to avoid int
imacy with Ivy, and then getting up and reading about new mechanic tips and better ways to fix cars. I love being a mechanic; there’s nothing I’d rather do with my life. Cars are predictable, and everything has a place to make sure the engine runs well. All it takes is a little hard work, and then I’m able to watch a car that was towed in not working be driven out in top condition. I feel proud.
I didn’t imagine there could be a better feeling, but I was wrong. Staring at a sleeping Ivy, I have a whole new range of emotions. It seems trivial to compare fixing a vehicle with Ivy fixing me. I’m by no means fixed, but damn if she didn’t change my whole world in one night. If there was a wall somewhere out there in the world that held my fears, Ivy smashed through it, obliterating every well-built brick and hard cement. She gave me normality through intimacy, something I thought would be forever out of my reach.
Had my family been through this themselves? Their demons scared off by angels?
My stomach rumbles and I sigh. I’m hesitant to move from the bed, however I’ve created a routine of snacking while reading late into the night. Shifting off the bed, I pull the blanket up and over Ivy’s naked shoulders. She doesn’t stir. Moving silently, I yank on a pair of loose sweatpants and open my bedroom door. I don’t close it completely, attempting to lessen any chance of waking Ivy.
I’m halfway down the stairs when I hear whispers coming from the kitchen. Silently I walk to the edge of the hall and listen.
“How long have you been sitting on this, Slate?” Mack demands.
“Only a day, and keep your voice down,” my eldest brother growls.
“We’re good, aren’t we?” Pacer asks.
“Yes, of course, I make sure everything is up-to-date and filed. We’re above board,” Della replies. “They’ll find nothing.”
“What about the parts you’ve purchased and used for Speed Wars for your racing cars? The ones hiding up in the forest,” Dom asks, sounding nervous.
“Mickey orders for us on his books and we pay him cash. There’s nothing that connects us to him or those parts to our shop. We’re good, the IRS will find nothing,” Slater states confidently. “But now we know we have a real problem. Piper being suspended. Lana being fired due to cutbacks, which is bullshit since the whole damn company only has two employees, and now this.”
“We already know who it is. Sheriff Johnson,” Mackson states angrily. “He reported Piper to her superiors and told them who she’s seeing. Bam, she’s suspended pending an investigation. The sheriff has more than enough power to lean on the liquor shop owner and convince him to get rid of Lana. The IRS, all he had to do was call them up and leave an anonymous tip-off. Why are we tiptoeing around this shit? The reason for all of this is lying upstairs beside our brother. Someone needs to knock some sense into him.”
As I’m about to step into the kitchen and put my brother in his place, Lana speaks up. “Mackson King.” The disappointment in Lana’s tone hits even me. “Have some compassion for your brother and what he and Ivy have been through. The road ahead won’t be easy for them, and that kind of attitude will only distance him from you, from all of us. You can’t expect Kelso to toss her aside because her father is a pain in our asses. Not when his feelings are so strong. I’m sad you’d think that would be okay, Mack.”
I hear Mack sigh, and there’s movement in the kitchen. “I’m frustrated, Dove. I want us all to finally have some good in our lives. I’m sick to death of the hard times. Something has to give, and it needs to be soon because I’m not sure how much longer I can take always glancing over my shoulder. I have other things I want to do now. A future I’m excited about. I’m done looking back.”
A chair scrapes, and it’s Slater who sighs this time. “Mack’s right, things do need to change, and they will. Death race is our way out. It’ll provide us with everything we need to make those changes.”
“Money won’t give you control,” Dom announces. “It’ll put a bigger target on your backs.”
The room grows silent. I imagine Slater staring Dom down, and Della throwing the death stare back at our brother. Why am I imagining this shit? I’ll confront them, and they can explain why they’re talking about Ivy and me behind our backs.
Stepping into the kitchen, I find I’m right. Crossing my arms against my chest, I clear my throat, and all heads turn my way. “Family meeting everyone conveniently forgot to tell me about?” No one appears shocked, more guilty, as the women blush and the guys turn away, looking anywhere but at me. “Come on, don’t go quiet now, where were you? Knocking some sense into me, and my girlfriend is the cause of all our problems, which I learned now includes a date with the IRS.”
Piper is the first to approach me. “Kel.” Her tone is gentle. “Slater and I didn’t want to put more pressure on you or Ivy. You’ve both been through a lot these last few weeks. We were hoping to figure this out without involving you both.” The longer Piper and Slater are together, the more they’ve become parental figures to us all, always saying they have our best interests at heart, but more and more they’ve become secretive. Spending time separate from the family, in Slater’s bedroom. I’d assume they’re getting frisky with each other, but then I hear them while I’m up late reading. Thank fuck for earplugs in this damn house, or my ears would never stop bleeding.
I could never be angry at Piper. I have memories of her as a little girl, ones she’ll never remember. She’s as kind now as she was when we were kids. “Well, I know now, and I’m pretty sure this wouldn’t stay a secret for long, given our family has no idea how to actually keep one from each other.” And there it is, Piper glancing to Slater, her guilt forming a frown. Slater covertly looks between Piper and Mackson. Huh. So Mack is in on it, which means Lana knows too. Pacer, Della, and Dom look nowhere, keeping their stares on me. If I didn’t have a full plate right now, I’d demand my brother tell me what the hell is going on, except now is not the time.
First I need to get it through to my family that no one is taking me away from Ivy, especially after tonight, and second, we deal with her father together.
Glancing to Mack, I decide to confront him first. “I’m pissed you spoke about Ivy the way you did.” Mackson lowers his head, but keeps eye contact with me. “But I understand why. Ivy and me being together has hurt Lana”—my eyes swing to Slater—“and Piper,”—looking back to Mack, I continue—“and now all of us.”
Ivy
Stretching my arm out, I find nothing but cold sheets. Turning my head, I realize Kel isn’t in bed with me. Rising up on my elbows, I peer over at his desk. He isn’t there either.
Removing the sheets from my body, I throw my legs over the side. Stilling for a moment, I listen carefully, noting the shower isn’t on and there’s no movement in the bathroom. Kel has left his room in the middle of the night. Why? What if he has regrets? What if I pushed him too far in the shower?
Standing and shaking my head, I whisper to myself, “Don’t be dramatic, Ivy. He’s probably hungry.”
Picking up the shirt Kelso took off earlier, I throw it on, the hem reaching my thighs, hiding anything important in case I run into one of his brothers.
I pull the door wide open and step through, but pause when I spot Kelso near the kitchen entry, leaning against the wall, as if he’s hiding. Suddenly he pushes off the wall and walks into the dining area. I hear his voice and he doesn’t sound happy, but I’m not close enough to hear what he’s saying.
My pulse quickens as curiosity gets the better of me. Tiptoeing down the stairs, I dash to the opposite side of the hall and quietly make my way to the same spot Kel was hiding in. I burrow into the corner and at the same time berate myself for sneaking around someone else’s house. This is not cool, but curiosity runs in my veins.
“I’m pissed you spoke about Ivy the way you did, but I understand why. Ivy and me being together has hurt Lana and Piper, and now all of us.” We hurt them? “I care for Ivy, more than I thought I ever could. I realize we need to deal with her father. He’s gone
too far, but he’s Ivy’s dad and I won’t do anything to risk my relationship with her. We need to deal with this problem differently.”
What the hell did my father do this time?
“How do you mean?” I hear Pacer ask. “Because if it was any other man we’d already have left him with a warning and two broken legs. It’s worked in the past, why change things now.”
My hands fly to my mouth and cover my shocked gasp. They’d hurt my father? They would. You know very well who you’ve mixed yourself up with, Ivy.
“Pacer,” Slater growls.
“Because he’s the father of the woman I love,” Kelso grates out. “It’s a line I refuse to cross. Family behind me or not, I would never ask any of you to do the same.”
My heart leaps and tingles race over my body. Kelso loves me. We haven’t said it to each other yet, but for Kelso to say it to his family, I believe his words are true.
“And he’s the fucking sheriff, Pace,” Mack adds. “I agree, this needs to be dealt with differently.”
Silence ensues. I can’t see anyone, but I imagine they're taking in what Kelso has said and attempting to come up with a strategy to best deal with my dad. I itch to step out of the shadows and tell them all not to worry, tomorrow I’ll deal with my father. No more requests or trying to understand his side of things. My father will cease his efforts or risk losing me forever. However, I’m not sure stepping out and letting them know I’ve been eavesdropping is the best way to show I’m someone they can trust.
I’m about to step away and dash upstairs when Slater speaks. “Family first, that’s something which will never change for us. Kelso has fallen for Ivy, she’s family now. We make every effort to move on, take the problems her father has caused us on the chin and look ahead. Hopefully the IRS will be the last of it. If we don’t react, he might tire of the game, and if he doesn’t we’ll reassess.”